U.S. patent application number 16/175307 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-02 for display device including touch sensor and method of manufacturing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to SuChang AN, JiHyun JUNG, JaeGyun LEE, Yangsik LEE, Ruda RHE.
Application Number | 20190131354 16/175307 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63965130 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-02 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190131354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Yangsik ; et
al. |
May 2, 2019 |
DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING TOUCH SENSOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING
THE SAME
Abstract
According to the various embodiments of the present disclosure,
provided are a display device and a method of the same including a
substrate including a display area and a pad area applying a signal
to the display area, and an encapsulation layer disposed in the
display area and including a first inorganic film, a second
inorganic film disposed on the first inorganic film, and a first
organic film disposed between the first inorganic film and the
second inorganic film. The display device further includes a touch
buffer layer disposed on the encapsulation layer, and a touch
sensing unit disposed on the touch buffer layer, and including a
touch sensor in which at least one inorganic film of the first
inorganic film and the second inorganic film is disposed on a part
of the pad area and a touch buffer layer is disposed on the at
least one inorganic film.
Inventors: |
LEE; Yangsik; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) ; JUNG; JiHyun; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; AN;
SuChang; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; JaeGyun;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; RHE; Ruda; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG DISPLAY CO., LTD. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
63965130 |
Appl. No.: |
16/175307 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 51/56 20130101;
G06F 3/044 20130101; G06F 3/0412 20130101; G06F 2203/04112
20130101; H01L 27/323 20130101; G06F 2203/04111 20130101; G06F
3/0416 20130101; H01L 51/5253 20130101; G06F 2203/04103 20130101;
H01L 27/3276 20130101; H01L 2227/323 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01L 27/32 20060101
H01L027/32; H01L 51/52 20060101 H01L051/52; G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; G06F 3/044 20060101 G06F003/044 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0144326 |
Claims
1. A display device comprising: a substrate including a display
area and a pad area; an encapsulation layer disposed on the
substrate, and including a first inorganic film and a first organic
film; a touch buffer layer disposed on the encapsulation layer; a
touch sensing unit disposed on the touch buffer layer, and
including a bridge disposed on the touch buffer layer, a touch
insulating film disposed on the bridge, and first and second touch
electrodes disposed on the touch insulating film; a touch driving
line disposed on the touch insulating film and connected to one of
the first or second touch electrodes; a touch sensing line disposed
on the touch insulating film and connected to the other of the
first or second touch electrodes; and a touch pad in the pad area
including an upper pad electrode and a lower pad electrode.
2. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a signal line
extending from the display area to the pad area.
3. The display device of claim 2, wherein the signal line is the
lower pad electrode.
4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the touch driving line
and the touch sensing line extend to the upper pad electrode.
5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the touch buffer layer
and the touch insulating film extend to the pad area.
6. The display device of claim 1, wherein the pad area comprises a
contact hole extending through the touch buffer layer and the touch
insulating film to the lower pad electrode.
7. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a thin film
transistor including a source electrode and drain electrode, a
light emitting layer including an organic light emitting film, and
a cathode electrode on the light emitting layer.
8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the source and drain
electrodes and the signal line are made of a same material.
9. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first and second
touch electrodes have a plurality of openings.
10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first and second
touch electrodes have an electrode pattern formed in a mesh.
11. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a protective
layer disposed on the second touch electrodes.
12. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a second
inorganic film disposed on the first inorganic film, the first
organic film being disposed between the first inorganic film and
the second inorganic film.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2017-0144326, filed on Oct. 31, 2017 in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office. which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a display device including
a touch sensor and a method of manufacturing the display
device.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] As the information-oriented society has been developed,
there has been a growing need for various display devices for
displaying images. Recently, various types of display devices, such
as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a plasma display panel
(PDP) device, and an organic light emitting display (OLED) device,
have been developed and utilized.
[0004] Among these display devices, the organic light emitting
display device has received considerable attention recently due to
its self-emitting property, high response speed, wide viewing
angle, high contrast and improved color gamut, and being
thinner.
[0005] In addition, the display devices can be operated by a user
command input through various input devices, such as a keyboard, a
mouse, or the like, and, as one of the input devices, a touch panel
display device has been developed so that the user can intuitively
and conveniently input a command by touching the screen of the
display device with a special stylus or one or more fingers. For
example, a touch panel is disposed on the screen of the display
device, and then the user can input a command to the display device
by touching a certain point on the screen of the display device.
Since the touch panel detects touch coordinates, it can be referred
to as a touch sensing unit.
[0006] In addition, the display device includes a display area
where an image is displayed and a bezel area that corresponds to an
edge area of the display area. Recently, there has been an attempt
to reduce the width of the bezel area for design reasons. However,
in a case where the touch panel is mounted on the display device,
since the number of signals for conveying the touch signal further
increases, in order to output the touch signal to the outside,
there are some limitations in reducing the width of the bezel
area.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is one object of some embodiments of the present
disclosure to provide a display device including a touch sensor and
a method for manufacturing the display device capable of
simplifying processes.
[0008] It is another object of some embodiments of the present
disclosure to provide a display device including a touch sensor and
a method for manufacturing the display device capable of reducing a
bezel area by reducing process deviations.
[0009] According to one aspect consistent with various embodiments
of the present disclosure, provided is a display device including a
substrate including a display area and a pad area applying a signal
to the display area; an encapsulation layer disposed in the display
area and including a first inorganic film, a second inorganic film
disposed on the first inorganic film, and a first organic film
disposed between the first inorganic film and the second inorganic
film; a touch buffer layer disposed on the encapsulation layer; and
a touch sensing unit disposed on the touch buffer layer, and
including a touch sensor in which at least one inorganic film of
the first inorganic film and the second inorganic film is disposed
in a part of the pad area and a touch buffer layer is disposed on
the at least one inorganic film.
[0010] According to another aspect consistent with various
embodiments of the present disclosure, provided is a method of
manufacturing a display device comprising disposing a first
inorganic film on a substrate, disposing a first organic film on
the first inorganic film, disposing a second inorganic film on the
first organic film, forming a touch buffer layer on the second
inorganic film. Furthermore, a touch electrode on the touch buffer
layer, and the touch buffer layer, at least one inorganic film of
the first inorganic film and the second inorganic film, and the
touch buffer layer are patterned when the touch electrode is
patterned.
[0011] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
provided are a display device including a touch sensing unit
capable of simplifying processes and reducing the manufacturing
cost, and a method of manufacturing the display device.
[0012] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
provided are a display device including a touch sensing unit
capable of reducing the size of the non-display area by reducing
process margin deviation, and a method of manufacturing the display
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a display device according to
some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel according
to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a touch sensing unit
according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a touch sensing unit
according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIGS. 5 to 9 are sectional views illustrating a
manufacturing procedure according to some embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0018] FIGS. 10 to 14 are sectional views illustrating a
manufacturing procedure of a pad area and a display area adjacent
to the pad area in a display device according to some embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of
manufacturing a display device according to some embodiments of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Hereinafter, the present embodiments of the disclosure will
be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In denoting elements of the drawings by reference numerals, the
same elements will be referenced by the same reference numerals
although the elements are illustrated in different drawings. In the
following description of the disclosure, detailed description of
known functions and configurations incorporated herein may be
omitted when it may make the subject matter of the disclosure
rather unclear.
[0021] Terms, such as first, second, A, B, (a), or (b) may be used
herein to describe elements of the disclosure. Each of the terms is
not used to define essence, order, sequence, or number of an
element, but is used merely to distinguish the corresponding
element from another element. When it is mentioned that an element
is "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it should be
interpreted that another element may be "interposed" between the
elements or the elements may be "connected" or "coupled" to each
other via another element as well as that one element is directly
connected or coupled to another element.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a display device according to
some embodiments of the present disclosure. All the components of
the display device according to all embodiments of the present
disclosure are operatively coupled and configured.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, a display device 1 can include a
display panel 11, a touch sensing unit 12, a display driver 14a, a
touch driver 14b, and a controller 15.
[0024] The display panel 11 can include a plurality of pixels P
arranged in a matrix. Each pixel P can include an organic light
emitting diode (OLED) and a pixel circuit supplying a driving
current to the OLED. The pixel circuit can receive a data signal
corresponding to a gate signal, generate a driving current, and
supply the generated driving current to the OLED. In addition, the
display panel 11 can be driven with a range of voltages. The range
of voltages applied to the display panel 11 can include a first
voltage EVDD and a second voltage EVSS having a lower level than
the first voltage EVDD. The display panel 11 can be driven by the
first voltage EVDD and the second voltage EVSS. The first voltage
EVDD can be supplied for each pixel column and the second voltage
EVSS can be a common voltage commonly supplied to the plurality of
pixels P.
[0025] The touch sensing unit 12 can be disposed over the display
panel 11 and can detect a touch from a finger or a stylus pen. In
this case, the touch includes not only a direct touch, but
approaching at certain intervals.
[0026] The display driver 14a can transmit the gate signal and the
data signal to the display panel 11. The display driver 14a can
receive an image signal and then generate a data signal. In this
case, a single display driver 14a is illustrated, but the present
disclosure is not limited to this and other variations are
possible. The number of display drivers can be determined depending
on the size or resolution of the display panel 11. The display
driver 14a can be implemented as an integrated circuit.
[0027] The touch driver 14b can transmit a touch driving signal to
the touch sensing unit 12, and receive a touch sensing signal in
response to the touch driving signal. The touch driver 14b can be
implemented as an integrated circuit.
[0028] The controller 15 can control individually the display
driver 14a and the touch driver 14b. In addition, the controller 15
can supply an image signal to the display driver 14a. Further, the
controller 15 can control any or all appropriate components of the
display device to operate the display device.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel according
to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, a pixel P (e.g., pixel P of FIG. 1) can
include a pixel circuit including an organic light emitting diode
OLED, a first to third transistors T1 to T3, and a capacitor C1. In
this case, the first transistor T1 can be a driving transistor
supplying a drive current to the organic light emitting diode
OLED.
[0031] The first transistor T1 can have a first touch electrode
connected with a first voltage line VL1 through which the first
voltage EVDD is applied, a second touch electrode connected with a
second node N2, and a gate electrode connected with a first node
N1. The second transistor T2 can have a first touch electrode
connected with a data line DL, a second touch electrode connected
with the first node N1, and a gate electrode connected with a gate
line GL. The third transistor T3 can have a first touch electrode
connected with the second node N2, a second touch electrode
connected with a second voltage line VL2, and a third electrode
connected with a sensing control signal line SEL. In this case, the
sensing control signal line SEL can be a gate line GL. The organic
light emitting diode OLED can have an anode electrode connected
with the second node N2 and a cathode electrode to which the second
voltage EVSS is applied. The cathode electrode can be connected to
the second voltage line. Accordingly, a driving current supplied by
the first transistor (T1) can flow through the organic light
emitting diode OLED. In addition, the capacitor C1 can be connected
between the first node N1 and the second node N2 and thus can
maintain the voltage applied to the first node N1. The first
voltage EVDD can be applied to the first voltage line VL1 and first
reference voltage Vref1 can be applied to the second voltage line
VL2.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a touch sensing unit
according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For
instance, the touch sensing unit of FIG. 3 can be used as the touch
sensing unit 12 of FIG. 1.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, a touch sensing unit is disposed over a
display panel 11, can include a plurality of first touch electrodes
TEa and a plurality of second touch electrodes TEb. The plurality
of first touch electrodes TEa can correspond to one or more touch
driving electrodes TEa and the plurality of second touch electrodes
TEb can correspond to one or more touch sensing electrodes TEb. The
plurality of first touch electrodes TEa can be connected to each
other through a bridge 322 in a row direction and form a plurality
of electrode rows. The plurality of second touch electrodes TEb can
be connected to each other through the bridge 322 in a column
direction and form a plurality of electrode columns. In this case,
the plurality of first touch electrodes TEa and the plurality of
second touch electrodes TEb can be arranged in a 4.times.3 matrix,
but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and includes
other variations. A touch insulating film 122 (e.g., see FIG. 9)
can comprise a touch contact hole through which a second touch
electrode 123 can contact the bridge 322 on a touch buffer layer
119. The touch buffer layer 119 and the touch insulating film 122
can extend to a pad area 200.
[0034] One or more touch driving signals can be applied to first
touch electrodes Tea and one or more touch driving signals
corresponding to the touch driving signals can be applied to the
second touch electrodes TEb. The first touch electrodes TEa and the
second touch electrodes TEb can be disposed in the same layer over
the display panel 11, but the present disclosure is not limited
thereto.
[0035] The bridge 322 can connect a first touch electrode TEa to
one or more other first touch electrodes. The bridge 322 can also
connect a second touch electrode TEb to one or more other second
touch electrodes. To prevent direct connections between the first
touch electrodes TEa and the second touch electrodes TEb, resulting
from intersecting of the bridges with each other, a bridge 322
connecting the first touch electrodes TEa can be arranged in a
different layer from the first touch electrodes TEa and the second
touch electrodes TEb, and the bridge 322 can be connected to the
first touch electrodes TEa through one or more vias (or holes). A
bridge 322 connecting the second touch electrodes TEb can be
arranged in the same layer as one or more first touch electrodes
TEa and one or more second touch electrodes TEb, and be connected
to the second touch electrodes TEb in the same layer. Accordingly,
an insulating film can be arranged between the bridge 322
connecting the first touch electrodes TEa and the bridge 322
connecting the second touch electrodes TEb.
[0036] In addition, the first touch electrode TEa and the second
touch electrode TEb can be formed by the patterning of a conductive
metal layer. In addition, the first touch electrode TEa and the
second touch electrode TEb can be formed of a transparent material
such as indium tin oxide ITO. In addition, the patterned first
touch electrode TEa and the second touch electrode TEb and the
bridges 322 can have an electrode pattern formed in a mesh, and the
first touch electrode TEa and the second touch electrode TEb can
have a plurality of openings. Since the first touch electrode TEa
and the second touch electrode TEb are formed of an ITO electrode
or have openings, light emitted from the display device can be
transmitted by the first touch electrode TEa and the second touch
electrode TEb or emit out through the plurality of openings.
[0037] The patterns of the first touch electrode TEa and the second
touch electrode TEb and the bridges 322 formed in a mesh can be
referred to as touch electrode wiring. The first touch electrode
TEa and the second touch electrode TEb can be connected to a touch
driving line 321a, 321b enabling a driving signal to be applied to
a touch electrode, and a touch sensing line 321c conveying a
sensing signal generated in response to a touch event detected
through the touch electrode. One or both of the touch driving line
321a, 321b or the touch sensing line 321c can be provided on a side
surface of an encapsulation layer 116, 117, 118 (e.g., see FIG. 9).
One or both of the touch driving line 321a, 321b or the touch
sensing line 321c can be provided on a side surface of a touch
buffer layer 119 or touch insulating film 122.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a touch sensing unit
according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, a touch sensing unit is disposed on a
display panel, and a plurality of touch electrodes TE having a
predetermined area can be arranged in a matrix on the display panel
11. In addition, a plurality of touch lines 420 can be connected to
each touch electrode TE to receive touch sensing signals therefrom.
The touch line 420 can be disposed in a lower portion of the touch
electrode and can contact an area of the touch electrode TE. Since
the touch electrode TE and the touch line 420 can be arranged
inside the display panel 11, it is possible to provide the display
device in a manner where a separate touch panel is not included on
the display panel 11, and therefore a thinner display panel 11 can
be provided.
[0040] FIGS. 5 to 9 are sectional views illustrating a
manufacturing procedure according to some embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, a substrate has a display area 100 and
a pad area 200, and a thin film transistor, a gate line applying a
gate signal to the thin film transistor, a data line applying a
data signal to the thin film transistor can be formed over the
display area 100. The substrate 110 can include polyamide, but the
present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, when the
data line is formed on the substrate 110, the source electrode and
the drain electrode 111b of the thin film transistor and a signal
line 111a extending from the pad area 200 towards the display area
100 can be formed at the same time. The signal line 111a can extend
from the display area 100 to the pad area 200. The pad area
comprises a touch pad 101. The signal line 111a is exposed in the
pad area 200 and therefore can serve as a pad for connecting to an
external device. But, the present disclosure is not limited
thereto. In addition, an external device that is connected to the
touch pad 101 can be a data driver, a gate driver, or the like. In
addition, the external device can be a printed circuit board PCB on
which the data and gate drivers can be mounted. But, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0042] A planarization film 112 can be disposed on the drain
electrode 111b. Then, the planarization film 112 is patterned, and
an anode electrode 113 and a drain electrode 111b can be formed to
be connected to each other. A bank 114b can be formed on the anode
electrode 113, and an organic light emitting film 114a can be
formed in a cavity formed in the bank 114b. A cathode electrode 115
can be formed on the bank 114b in which the organic light emitting
film 114a is formed. The bank 114b in which the organic light
emitting film 114a is formed can be referred to as a light emitting
layer. The cathode electrode 115 can be a common electrode. A first
inorganic film 116 can be formed on the cathode electrode 115. When
the first inorganic film 116 is formed, a dam 112a can be formed
over a portion at which the pad area 200 and the display area 100
are adjacent to each other. The dam 112a can be formed when the
planarization film 112 is formed. The dam 112a can have a dual
structure such as being composed of two layers or peaks. In
addition, when the first inorganic film 116 is formed, the first
inorganic film 116 can be formed not to cover the pad area 200, the
film being formed by any patterning technique using a mask. The
first inorganic film 116 can cover an upper part of the dam 112a.
But, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, a
display area 100 and a pad area 200 can be defined relative to the
dam 112a on the substrate 110. However, the present disclosure is
not limited thereto, and pad area 200 can be an area in which a
signal line 111a disposed on the substrate is exposed or an area in
which a conductor disposed on the signal line 111a is exposed. The
conductor disposed on the signal line 111a can be a second touch
electrode 123 illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, a first organic film 117 is formed on
the first inorganic film 116. In order to protect the organic light
emitting film 114a, a thick layer can be disposed on the organic
light emitting film 114a to prevent foreign substances such as
moisture from penetrating the organic light emitting film 114a.
However, there are some limitations to increase the thickness of
the first inorganic film 116. Accordingly, in order to protect the
organic light emitting film 114a, the first organic film 117, of
which the thickness can be increased, can be disposed on the first
inorganic film 116. The dam 112a serves to prevent the first
organic film 117 from penetrating into the pad area 200.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 7, a second inorganic film 118 can be
formed on the first organic film 117. The second inorganic film 118
can cover the upper portion of the dam 112a formed by the first
inorganic film 116. When the first inorganic film 116 is formed, it
is patterned using a mask, but the second inorganic film 118 can be
formed without using a mask. The deposited first inorganic film
116, first organic film 117 and second inorganic film 118 can be
referred to as an encapsulation layer.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 8, a touch buffer layer 119 can be formed
on the second inorganic film 118. The touch sensing unit can be
mounted on the encapsulation layer by the patterning of a touch
electrode, and the encapsulation layer can be damaged while the
touch electrode is formed. To solve this problem, the touch buffer
layer 119 can be formed on the encapsulation layer. The touch
buffer layer can be formed without using a mask. The touch buffer
layer 119 can be formed with an inorganic film. The touch buffer
layer 119 serves to prevent the substrate from being damaged, but
is not limited to preventing formation of a defect while the touch
electrode is formed.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 9, a first touch electrode 121 and a
second touch electrode 123 can be formed on the touch buffer layer
119. The first touch electrode 121 can be a bridge 322, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, and the second touch electrode 123 can be a
plurality of first touch electrodes TEa and/or a plurality of
second touch electrodes TEb, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The bridge
322 can be disposed on a layer different from the plurality of
first touch electrodes TEa and the plurality of second touch
electrodes TEb. A touch insulating film 122 can be disposed between
the first touch electrode 121 and the second touch electrode 123. A
protective layer 124 can be formed on the second touch electrode
123. The first touch electrode 121 can be the touch electrode TE
illustrated in FIG. 4 and the second touch electrode 123 can be the
touch line 420 illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0047] The first touch electrode 121 can be formed first on the
touch buffer layer 119. When the first touch electrode 121 is
formed, the first touch electrode 121 can be patterned using a
mask, or when the first touch electrode 121 is formed, the touch
buffer layer 119 and the second inorganic film 118, which are
disposed under the first touch electrode 121, can be patterned.
Accordingly, when the first touch electrode 121 is formed, the
touch buffer layer 119 and the second inorganic film 118 are
patterned and one mask can be used because a separate patterning is
not required. At this time, in a case where the first inorganic
film 116 has not been patterned in previous process, the first
inorganic film 116 can be also patterned when the first touch
electrode 121 is formed. Accordingly, the manufacturing process of
the display device 1 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
At this time, the second inorganic film 118 and the touch buffer
layer 119 which are formed in the pad area 200 are removed and as a
result a signal line can be exposed. In addition, since the second
inorganic film 118 and the touch buffer layer 119 can be patterned
using a single mask, a margin in the mask process can be set small.
That is, if two mask processes are performed, a margin of each mask
process is required to be set, but, if a single mask process is
performed, a margin of the single mask process is required to be
set, and thereby it is possible to set a smaller margin than
performing a mask process twice. As a result, the area of the
display area on the substrate 110 can be increased and the area of
the pad area can be reduced. Thus, a bezel area can be designed
smaller.
[0048] After the first touch electrode 121 has been patterned, the
touch insulating film 122 is deposited, and, after the touch
insulating film 122 has been deposited, the second touch electrode
123 can be formed on the touch insulating film 122 by patterning.
At this time, the second touch electrode 123 can be formed on a
signal line 111a exposed in the pad area. In addition, the signal
line 111a can contact the second touch electrode 123. As a result,
a signal can be conveyed to the second touch electrode 123 through
the signal line 111a. As the protective layer 124 is disposed on
the second touch electrode 123, the second touch electrode 123 can
be protected. The protective layer 124 can be an organic film or an
inorganic film. One or both of the touch driving line 321a, 321b or
the touch sensing line 321c can be provided on a side surface of
the encapsulation layer 116, 117, 118. One or both of the touch
driving line 321a, 321b or the touch sensing line 321c can be
provided on a side surface of the touch buffer layer 199 or touch
insulating film 122. The touch pad 101 can comprise upper and lower
pad electrodes. The signal line 111a can be the lower pad
electrode. The second touch electrode 123 can be the upper pad
electrode. The lower pad electrode/signal line 111a can be the same
material as the source electrode and drain electrode 111b. The
upper pad electrode can be made of the same material as the touch
driving line 321a or the touch sensing line 321c.
[0049] FIGS. 10 to 14 are sectional views illustrating a
manufacturing procedure of a pad area and a display area adjacent
to the pad area in a display device according to some embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 10, a first inorganic film 116 can be
formed on a substrate having a display area 100 and a pad area 200.
A first organic film 117 can be disposed on the first inorganic
film 116. The first organic film 117 can be disposed only on the
display area 100. A second inorganic film 118 can be formed on the
first organic film 117. At this time, since a mask is not used, the
second inorganic film 118 is not patterned, and therefore the
second inorganic film 118 can be formed both the display area 100
and the pad area 200. A touch buffer layer 119 can be formed on the
second inorganic film 118.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 11, after the touch buffer layer 119 has
been formed, a first touch electrode 121 can be formed on the touch
buffer layer 119. The first touch electrode 121 can be formed using
a mask.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 12, after the first touch electrode 121
has been formed, a touch insulating film 122 can be formed on the
first touch electrode 121. The touch insulating film 122 located on
the pad area 200 can be etched. The touch insulating film 122 can
be an inorganic film, and when the touch insulating film 122 is
etched, since the first inorganic film 116 and the second inorganic
film 118, which are located under the touch insulating film 122,
can be etched together, thus the pad area 200 can be exposed. The
exposing of the pad area 200 can cause a signal line located in the
pad area 200 to be exposed.
[0053] However, even though the touch insulating film 122 is
etched, the first inorganic film 116 and/or at least a part of the
second inorganic film 118 can remain in the pad area 200, as
illustrated in FIG. 13. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 14,
while patterning is performed to form a second touch electrode 123
on the touch insulating film 122b, the first inorganic film 116
and/or the second inorganic film 118 which remains in the pad area
200 can be removed. As such, a signal line can be exposed in the
pad area 200. A protective layer 124 can be further formed on the
second touch electrode 123. The first inorganic film 116, second
inorganic film 118, and touch buffer layer 119 can be deposited in
sequence over an outer edge of the area with the exposed signal
line, of the pad area 200.
[0054] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of
manufacturing a display device according to some embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 15, according to the method of
manufacturing the display device, a display area and a pad area can
be formed on a substrate. A thin film transistor, a light emitting
layer including an organic light emitting film contacting at least
a part of the thin film transistor, and a cathode electrode formed
on the light emitting layer can be formed on the substrate (S1500).
One or more pixels including the thin film transistor and one or
more signal lines can be formed in the display area and the pad
area respectively. In addition, a dam can be formed in the display
area adjacent to the pad area. The dam can have a dual structure
such as being composed of two layers or peaks. The dam can be
formed using a planarization film disposed under the light emitting
layer. But, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0056] A first inorganic film can be disposed on a cathode
electrode and then patterned (S1510). The first inorganic film can
be deposited on the dam.
[0057] A first organic film can be disposed on the first inorganic
film (S1520). The thickness of the first organic film can be over a
predetermined value, and therefore foreign substances can be
prevented from penetrating the light emitting layer. In addition,
the dam serves to prevent the first organic film from penetrating
into the pad area. The dam serves as a reference to define the
display area and the pad area. However, the present disclosure is
not limited thereto, and pad area 200 can be an area in which a
signal line 111a disposed on the substrate is exposed or an area in
which a conductor disposed on the signal line 111a is exposed. The
conductor disposed on the signal line 111a can be a second touch
electrode 123 described below.
[0058] A second inorganic film can be disposed on the first organic
film (S1530). Since the second inorganic film is not patterned, it
can be disposed on the first organic film without using a mask.
Accordingly, a process for patterning the second inorganic film can
be omitted. The first inorganic film, first organic film and second
inorganic film can be referred to as a encapsulation layer.
[0059] A touch buffer layer can be formed on the second inorganic
film (S1540). The first inorganic film, first organic film and
second inorganic film can be damaged by heat, and, in a case where
a touch sensing unit including a touch electrode is disposed on the
second inorganic film, a process for patterning the touch
electrode, or the like may be required. The first inorganic film,
first organic film and second inorganic film may be damaged by a
process for patterning the touch electrode. To solve or address
this problem, the forming of the touch buffer layer can serve to
prevent the first inorganic film, first organic film and second
inorganic film, which are formed in earlier processes, from being
damaged.
[0060] A touch electrode on the touch buffer layer can be patterned
(S1550). The touch buffer layer and the second inorganic film can
be patterned when the touch electrode is formed. Accordingly, the
number of required mask processes can be reduced, when the touch
buffer layer and the second inorganic film are removed in the pad
area by the etching of the touch buffer layer and the second
inorganic film using a single mask. If the number of mask processes
is reduced to one, a process margin can be set smaller when one
mask process is performed than when two mask processes are
performed, and therefore the size of the pad area on the substrate
can be reduced. In a case where the first inorganic film is
disposed in the pad area without the first inorganic film
patterned, in the step S1520, the first inorganic film can be
etched along with the touch buffer layer and the second inorganic
film when they are etched.
[0061] In addition, the patterning of the touch electrode can cause
the touch buffer layer and the second inorganic film in the pad
area to be patterned and removed when a first touch electrode is
patterned, among at least two touch electrodes. In addition, the
patterning of the touch electrode can cause the touch buffer layer
and the second inorganic film to be patterned and removed when the
touch insulating film is removed by etching in the pad area. In
addition, the patterning of the touch electrode can cause the touch
buffer layer and the second inorganic film in the pad area to be
patterned and removed when a second touch electrode on the touch
insulating film is patterned.
[0062] The features, structures, configurations, and effects
described in the present disclosure are included in at least one
embodiment but are not necessarily limited to a particular
embodiment. A person skilled in the art can apply the features,
structures, configurations, and effects illustrated in the
particular embodiment embodiments of the present disclosure to
another one or more additional embodiment embodiments of the
present disclosure by combining or modifying such features,
structures, configurations, and effects. It should be understood
that all such combinations and modifications are included within
the scope of the present disclosure.
[0063] Although the exemplary embodiments have been described for
illustrative purposes, a person skilled in the art will appreciate
that various modifications and applications are possible without
departing from the essential characteristics of the present
disclosure. For example, the specific components of the exemplary
embodiments can be variously modified. The various embodiments
described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.
These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of
the above-detailed description. In general, in the following
claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims
to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the
claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the
disclosure.
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